A 10-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter over the
killing of a 6-year-old Auckland boy.
Mohammed Khubeb Khan died after being shot at a building site
near Lautoka, in Fiji.
A 14-year-old cousin, Mohammed Nabil Khan, was hospitalised
after being shot in the same incident and is still being
treated for his injuries.
Now, Fiji police have taken the decision to charge the
10-year-old with manslaughter.
The gun's licensed owner, 37-year-old pilot Mohammad Rizwan
Khan, faces the same charge.
Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde
said the decision to charge the 10-year old was "not an easy
one".
"This is a tragic set of circumstances, however we must
remember that a six-year-boy has lost his life," he said.
"The courts ultimately will decide guilt or innocence but at
present, there is sufficient evidence to justify laying
charges against both the man and the boy."
The 10-year-old, who has name suppression, will be tried as a
juvenile.
He has been granted bail and will next appear at Lautoka
Magistrates Court on February 25 for a judge to decide
whether the matter should be transferred to the High Court.
The Department of Social Welfare has been advised and are
fully involved with the case, Mr Pryde said.
- Kurt Bayer of APNZ
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